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geekhack Community => Keyboard Keycaps => Topic started by: les_garten on Tue, 07 June 2016, 16:27:07

Title: NOOB Topre Keycap question
Post by: les_garten on Tue, 07 June 2016, 16:27:07
I'm interested in the Topre Full sized keyboards like Type Heaven and Realforce

Looking in the Keycap GB section, will the title list if it is for Topre?

I'm assuming that somewhere within a Blue Moon time frame someone does a Topre set?

Are there some keycap sets that will fit Cherry MX and Topre?

For something as simple as keyboards, this is some complicated stuff.

I've been "computing" since '85, can't believe how much cool stuff I have thrown away...   

some within the last year or so   :(
Title: Re: NOOB Topre Keycap question
Post by: phoible on Tue, 07 June 2016, 19:57:08
Pretty much no keycaps are compatible with Topre, with the exception of some sets that Topre manufactured (I believe they don't do this any more) and a few artisan keycaps.

The CM Storm Novatouch uses Topre Switches, but has custom sliders that are compatible with MX keycaps. It isn't compatible with Topre keycaps.

Some people have bought Novatouches and harvested the sliders to use them in a Realforce, HHKB, or Leopold FC660C. This is a fairly expensive proposition, though, and you would need to take apart Two Novatouches to do a full-sized Type Heaven or Realforce.
You can also buy one of the keyboards with knock off Topres, which have MX-compatible sliders. The sliders will work in all non-stabilized Topre keys.

I think that one time there was a Topre keyset on Massdrop, but it didn't sell enough to hit the minimum order quantity.
Title: Re: NOOB Topre Keycap question
Post by: xtrafrood on Tue, 07 June 2016, 20:22:25
Topre sets are available but they're expensive as ****. Sellers on Ebay sell them, Taobao merchants sell them, hell even vendors on Amazon keep a few in stock. A lot of people dye the caps they want to change or send the keys off to be dyed by someone that has done it a bunch of times. Usually they'll list them as Realforce keycaps or HHKB keycaps. So far I've yet to see aftermarket keys for Type Heaven.
Title: Re: NOOB Topre Keycap question
Post by: nmur on Tue, 07 June 2016, 20:55:03
almost every keyset you'll see in the Interest Check and Group Buy subforums are MX, unless explicitly stated

no retail stores have any stock of ANSI topre sets as they haven't been produced for a while now, however a few of them are generally available on ebay or such for $150 USD. this is generally the price point people seem to sell at for aftermarket sales too.
Title: Re: NOOB Topre Keycap question
Post by: xtrafrood on Tue, 07 June 2016, 21:10:49
almost every keyset you'll see in the Interest Check and Group Buy subforums are MX, unless explicitly stated

no retail stores have any stock of ANSI topre sets as they haven't been produced for a while now, however a few of them are generally available on ebay or such for $150 USD. this is generally the price point people seem to sell at for aftermarket sales too.

They're not easy to find for USA types, but they're available. Taobao is jam packed with ANSI Topre keysets from what I've seen.

Here's a Taobao link with ANSI keycaps in a five different colors. Same price point though :/
https://world.taobao.com/item/36392535695.htm?fromSite=main&spm=a1z3o.7695460.0.0.P6OabG (https://world.taobao.com/item/36392535695.htm?fromSite=main&spm=a1z3o.7695460.0.0.P6OabG)
Title: Re: NOOB Topre Keycap question
Post by: les_garten on Tue, 07 June 2016, 22:30:10
Pretty much no keycaps are compatible with Topre, with the exception of some sets that Topre manufactured (I believe they don't do this any more) and a few artisan keycaps.

The CM Storm Novatouch uses Topre Switches, but has custom sliders that are compatible with MX keycaps. It isn't compatible with Topre keycaps.

Some people have bought Novatouches and harvested the sliders to use them in a Realforce, HHKB, or Leopold FC660C. This is a fairly expensive proposition, though, and you would need to take apart Two Novatouches to do a full-sized Type Heaven or Realforce.
You can also buy one of the keyboards with knock off Topres, which have MX-compatible sliders. The sliders will work in all non-stabilized Topre keys.

I think that one time there was a Topre keyset on Massdrop, but it didn't sell enough to hit the minimum order quantity.

If you buy a Novatech to get the sliders to do the MX conversion, how do you deal with getting the stabilzed keys converted?
Title: Re: NOOB Topre Keycap question
Post by: les_garten on Tue, 07 June 2016, 22:30:46
Topre sets are available but they're expensive as ****. Sellers on Ebay sell them, Taobao merchants sell them, hell even vendors on Amazon keep a few in stock. A lot of people dye the caps they want to change or send the keys off to be dyed by someone that has done it a bunch of times. Usually they'll list them as Realforce keycaps or HHKB keycaps. So far I've yet to see aftermarket keys for Type Heaven.

How do they keep the legends if they dye them?
Title: Re: NOOB Topre Keycap question
Post by: les_garten on Tue, 07 June 2016, 22:31:43
almost every keyset you'll see in the Interest Check and Group Buy subforums are MX, unless explicitly stated

no retail stores have any stock of ANSI topre sets as they haven't been produced for a while now, however a few of them are generally available on ebay or such for $150 USD. this is generally the price point people seem to sell at for aftermarket sales too.

They're not easy to find for USA types, but they're available. Taobao is jam packed with ANSI Topre keysets from what I've seen.

Here's a Taobao link with ANSI keycaps in a five different colors. Same price point though :/
https://world.taobao.com/item/36392535695.htm?fromSite=main&spm=a1z3o.7695460.0.0.P6OabG (https://world.taobao.com/item/36392535695.htm?fromSite=main&spm=a1z3o.7695460.0.0.P6OabG)

That explains what I am seeing in the Topre picture thread, thanx!
Title: Re: NOOB Topre Keycap question
Post by: les_garten on Tue, 07 June 2016, 22:38:59
It seems to me if I was Topre, I would adopt the MX compatible sliders across the whole range of switches.

Title: Re: NOOB Topre Keycap question
Post by: xtrafrood on Tue, 07 June 2016, 22:46:45
Topre sets are available but they're expensive as ****. Sellers on Ebay sell them, Taobao merchants sell them, hell even vendors on Amazon keep a few in stock. A lot of people dye the caps they want to change or send the keys off to be dyed by someone that has done it a bunch of times. Usually they'll list them as Realforce keycaps or HHKB keycaps. So far I've yet to see aftermarket keys for Type Heaven.

How do they keep the legends if they dye them?

I'm guessing that folks only use light dye colors if the keycaps have dye-sub legends? I mostly see dyed blanks tbh

Here is the Topre Keyboard picture thread https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=40658.0 (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=40658.0)
Title: Re: NOOB Topre Keycap question
Post by: les_garten on Tue, 07 June 2016, 22:48:59
Topre sets are available but they're expensive as ****. Sellers on Ebay sell them, Taobao merchants sell them, hell even vendors on Amazon keep a few in stock. A lot of people dye the caps they want to change or send the keys off to be dyed by someone that has done it a bunch of times. Usually they'll list them as Realforce keycaps or HHKB keycaps. So far I've yet to see aftermarket keys for Type Heaven.

How do they keep the legends if they dye them?

I'm guessing that folks only use light dye colors if the keycaps have dye-sub legends? I mostly see dyed blanks tbh

Here is the Topre Keyboard picture thread https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=40658.0 (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=40658.0)

Yeah, I'm browsing that thread now.

Wish CoolerMaster made a 104 Novatouch...

Then you could get all the sliders
Title: Re: NOOB Topre Keycap question
Post by: xtrafrood on Tue, 07 June 2016, 22:56:01
Topre sets are available but they're expensive as ****. Sellers on Ebay sell them, Taobao merchants sell them, hell even vendors on Amazon keep a few in stock. A lot of people dye the caps they want to change or send the keys off to be dyed by someone that has done it a bunch of times. Usually they'll list them as Realforce keycaps or HHKB keycaps. So far I've yet to see aftermarket keys for Type Heaven.

How do they keep the legends if they dye them?

I'm guessing that folks only use light dye colors if the keycaps have dye-sub legends? I mostly see dyed blanks tbh

Here is the Topre Keyboard picture thread https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=40658.0 (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=40658.0)

Yeah, I'm browsing that thread now.

Wish CoolerMaster made a 104 Novatouch...

Then you could get all the sliders

Yup. The only problem with Novatouch sliders is that some artisans make caps that won't fit on hybrid stems. My guess is that the stem design makes the cap stronger /shrug I guess that's only a problem if you want to deck out your entire keyboard with those kinds of artisan caps :confused:
Title: Re: NOOB Topre Keycap question
Post by: les_garten on Tue, 07 June 2016, 23:07:59
Topre sets are available but they're expensive as ****. Sellers on Ebay sell them, Taobao merchants sell them, hell even vendors on Amazon keep a few in stock. A lot of people dye the caps they want to change or send the keys off to be dyed by someone that has done it a bunch of times. Usually they'll list them as Realforce keycaps or HHKB keycaps. So far I've yet to see aftermarket keys for Type Heaven.



How do they keep the legends if they dye them?

I'm guessing that folks only use light dye colors if the keycaps have dye-sub legends? I mostly see dyed blanks tbh

Here is the Topre Keyboard picture thread https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=40658.0 (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=40658.0)

Yeah, I'm browsing that thread now.

Wish CoolerMaster made a 104 Novatouch...

Then you could get all the sliders

Yup. The only problem with Novatouch sliders is that some artisans make caps that won't fit on hybrid stems. My guess is that the stem design makes the cap stronger /shrug I guess that's only a problem if you want to deck out your entire keyboard with those kinds of artisan caps :confused:

I'm not a fan of those Caps so that doesn't apply to me.

I just picked up my first Topre off Ebay from EK a few minutes ago!

I got it for my wife to use at work.  It's a Type Heaven.
Title: Re: NOOB Topre Keycap question
Post by: xtrafrood on Tue, 07 June 2016, 23:17:39
Topre sets are available but they're expensive as ****. Sellers on Ebay sell them, Taobao merchants sell them, hell even vendors on Amazon keep a few in stock. A lot of people dye the caps they want to change or send the keys off to be dyed by someone that has done it a bunch of times. Usually they'll list them as Realforce keycaps or HHKB keycaps. So far I've yet to see aftermarket keys for Type Heaven.



How do they keep the legends if they dye them?

I'm guessing that folks only use light dye colors if the keycaps have dye-sub legends? I mostly see dyed blanks tbh

Here is the Topre Keyboard picture thread https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=40658.0 (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=40658.0)

Yeah, I'm browsing that thread now.

Wish CoolerMaster made a 104 Novatouch...

Then you could get all the sliders

Yup. The only problem with Novatouch sliders is that some artisans make caps that won't fit on hybrid stems. My guess is that the stem design makes the cap stronger /shrug I guess that's only a problem if you want to deck out your entire keyboard with those kinds of artisan caps :confused:

I'm not a fan of those Caps so that doesn't apply to me.

I just picked up my first Topre off Ebay from EK a few minutes ago!

I got it for my wife to use at work.  It's a Type Heaven.

Legit topre switches nice :)
Title: Re: NOOB Topre Keycap question
Post by: phoible on Fri, 10 June 2016, 00:48:28
If you buy a Novatech to get the sliders to do the MX conversion, how do you deal with getting the stabilzed keys converted?

The Novatouch sliders for the stabilized keys should work with the stabilized keys on a Topre board.

The problem I mentioned with the stabilized sliders is only for the knock-off Topre switches (like the Royal Kludge EC930).
Title: Re: NOOB Topre Keycap question
Post by: _PixelNinja on Sat, 11 June 2016, 17:27:37
Wish CoolerMaster made a 104 Novatouch...
Doubt it will happen since Topre will be releasing their RGB Realforce — which has Topre x MX plungers and a standard layout — in the near future :

(http://reho.st/preview/self/378bb73170192cd16e2d6c38ecf53bcc92dc9e4d.jpg)

(http://reho.st/preview/self/8f49c995f7ef0987cd4d08f7557158491bcf54a2.jpg)

Title: Re: NOOB Topre Keycap question
Post by: superdh on Wed, 26 October 2016, 16:47:42
I have a 105UB realforce keyboard and i want keycaps with hangul text on them.
Then i realised the lack of topre keycaps on the market. So i found these "Topre to MX adapter" (https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Topre-to-MX-adapter-Topre-change-into-MX-switch/32748140639.html?ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_1_116_10065_117_10068_114_115_10069_113_10084_10083_10086_10017_10080_10082_10081_10060_10061_10062_10056_10055_10054_10059_10078_10079_10073_10070_10052_422_10053_10050_10051,searchweb201603_8&btsid=f8e700fc-2f62-48a3-88dd-ee518b15fae4) on aliexpress.
How easy would it be to fit these in to my switches?
Anyone know if there are any problems with these?
Title: Re: NOOB Topre Keycap question
Post by: Puddsy on Wed, 26 October 2016, 16:50:32
I have a 105UB realforce keyboard and i want keycaps with hangul text on them.
Then i realised the lack of topre keycaps on the market. So i found these "Topre to MX adapter" (https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Topre-to-MX-adapter-Topre-change-into-MX-switch/32748140639.html?ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_1_116_10065_117_10068_114_115_10069_113_10084_10083_10086_10017_10080_10082_10081_10060_10061_10062_10056_10055_10054_10059_10078_10079_10073_10070_10052_422_10053_10050_10051,searchweb201603_8&btsid=f8e700fc-2f62-48a3-88dd-ee518b15fae4) on aliexpress.
How easy would it be to fit these in to my switches?
Anyone know if there are any problems with these?

Topre to MX stems are fairly common now.

To install them, you will need to take the board apart. It's not an especially difficult mod to do (no soldering involved), but it is time consuming.

Also, taking apart a Topre board can be kind of a PITA. I've never done it, but I've heard a lot of stories.

Do a little googling around to learn more about it.
Title: Re: NOOB Topre Keycap question
Post by: les_garten on Wed, 26 October 2016, 19:07:32
I have a 105UB realforce keyboard and i want keycaps with hangul text on them.
Then i realised the lack of topre keycaps on the market. So i found these "Topre to MX adapter" (https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Topre-to-MX-adapter-Topre-change-into-MX-switch/32748140639.html?ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_1_116_10065_117_10068_114_115_10069_113_10084_10083_10086_10017_10080_10082_10081_10060_10061_10062_10056_10055_10054_10059_10078_10079_10073_10070_10052_422_10053_10050_10051,searchweb201603_8&btsid=f8e700fc-2f62-48a3-88dd-ee518b15fae4) on aliexpress.
How easy would it be to fit these in to my switches?
Anyone know if there are any problems with these?

WOW!  At that price, you would be better off getting some folks together and buying 500 pieces.
Title: Re: NOOB Topre Keycap question
Post by: 1swt2gs on Wed, 26 October 2016, 19:45:08
I'm interested in the Topre Full sized keyboards like Type Heaven and Realforce

Looking in the Keycap GB section, will the title list if it is for Topre?

I'm assuming that somewhere within a Blue Moon time frame someone does a Topre set?

Are there some keycap sets that will fit Cherry MX and Topre?

For something as simple as keyboards, this is some complicated stuff.

I've been "computing" since '85, can't believe how much cool stuff I have thrown away...   

some within the last year or so   :(


Hmm, I wonder how much a full 104 set in TMX would cost :O
Title: Re: NOOB Topre Keycap question
Post by: Puddsy on Wed, 26 October 2016, 20:45:05
I'm interested in the Topre Full sized keyboards like Type Heaven and Realforce

Looking in the Keycap GB section, will the title list if it is for Topre?

I'm assuming that somewhere within a Blue Moon time frame someone does a Topre set?

Are there some keycap sets that will fit Cherry MX and Topre?

For something as simple as keyboards, this is some complicated stuff.

I've been "computing" since '85, can't believe how much cool stuff I have thrown away...   

some within the last year or so   :(


Hmm, I wonder how much a full 104 set in TMX would cost :O

A ****load, until the stems get standardized, then probably $120 a set.
Title: Re: NOOB Topre Keycap question
Post by: les_garten on Wed, 26 October 2016, 21:17:40
I'm interested in the Topre Full sized keyboards like Type Heaven and Realforce

Looking in the Keycap GB section, will the title list if it is for Topre?

I'm assuming that somewhere within a Blue Moon time frame someone does a Topre set?

Are there some keycap sets that will fit Cherry MX and Topre?

For something as simple as keyboards, this is some complicated stuff.

I've been "computing" since '85, can't believe how much cool stuff I have thrown away...   

some within the last year or so   :(


Hmm, I wonder how much a full 104 set in TMX would cost :O

A ****load, until the stems get standardized, then probably $120 a set.

They are only about $25 a set if you get 3 other folks to go in on getting bulk pricing.
Title: Re: NOOB Topre Keycap question
Post by: Puddsy on Wed, 26 October 2016, 21:30:31
I'm interested in the Topre Full sized keyboards like Type Heaven and Realforce

Looking in the Keycap GB section, will the title list if it is for Topre?

I'm assuming that somewhere within a Blue Moon time frame someone does a Topre set?

Are there some keycap sets that will fit Cherry MX and Topre?

For something as simple as keyboards, this is some complicated stuff.

I've been "computing" since '85, can't believe how much cool stuff I have thrown away...   

some within the last year or so   :(


Hmm, I wonder how much a full 104 set in TMX would cost :O

A ****load, until the stems get standardized, then probably $120 a set.


They are only about $25 a set if you get 3 other folks to go in on getting bulk pricing.

Not the sliders, I'm talking about keycaps made by a manufacturer.
Title: Re: NOOB Topre Keycap question
Post by: les_garten on Wed, 26 October 2016, 21:55:19
I'm interested in the Topre Full sized keyboards like Type Heaven and Realforce

Looking in the Keycap GB section, will the title list if it is for Topre?

I'm assuming that somewhere within a Blue Moon time frame someone does a Topre set?

Are there some keycap sets that will fit Cherry MX and Topre?

For something as simple as keyboards, this is some complicated stuff.

I've been "computing" since '85, can't believe how much cool stuff I have thrown away...   

some within the last year or so   :(


Hmm, I wonder how much a full 104 set in TMX would cost :O

A ****load, until the stems get standardized, then probably $120 a set.


They are only about $25 a set if you get 3 other folks to go in on getting bulk pricing.

Not the sliders, I'm talking about keycaps made by a manufacturer.

Gotcha, yeah High $$$ for sure
Title: Re: NOOB Topre Keycap question
Post by: cicada on Fri, 28 October 2016, 13:37:45
.
Title: Re: NOOB Topre Keycap question
Post by: Puddsy on Fri, 28 October 2016, 14:27:56
More
I'm interested in the Topre Full sized keyboards like Type Heaven and Realforce

Looking in the Keycap GB section, will the title list if it is for Topre?

I'm assuming that somewhere within a Blue Moon time frame someone does a Topre set?

Are there some keycap sets that will fit Cherry MX and Topre?

For something as simple as keyboards, this is some complicated stuff.

I've been "computing" since '85, can't believe how much cool stuff I have thrown away...   

some within the last year or so   :(


Hmm, I wonder how much a full 104 set in TMX would cost :O

A ****load, until the stems get standardized, then probably $120 a set.


They are only about $25 a set if you get 3 other folks to go in on getting bulk pricing.

Not the sliders, I'm talking about keycaps made by a manufacturer.

Gotcha, yeah High $$$ for sure


I wonder which manufacturer will be the first to make TMX keycaps. On a side note, does anyone know where I can get a Topre pink blank set that isn't $400?

You can't.

They're not made anymore, so you'll just have to wait. I was fortunate enough to get a topre keyset in a trade a while ago, but now they're incredibly hard to come by.
Title: Re: NOOB Topre Keycap question
Post by: Crapbag on Fri, 28 October 2016, 14:31:35
I'm interested in the Topre Full sized keyboards like Type Heaven and Realforce

Looking in the Keycap GB section, will the title list if it is for Topre?

I'm assuming that somewhere within a Blue Moon time frame someone does a Topre set?

Are there some keycap sets that will fit Cherry MX and Topre?

For something as simple as keyboards, this is some complicated stuff.

I've been "computing" since '85, can't believe how much cool stuff I have thrown away...   

some within the last year or so   :(


Hmm, I wonder how much a full 104 set in TMX would cost :O

A ****load, until the stems get standardized, then probably $120 a set.


They are only about $25 a set if you get 3 other folks to go in on getting bulk pricing.

Not the sliders, I'm talking about keycaps made by a manufacturer.

Gotcha, yeah High $$$ for sure

I wonder which manufacturer will be the first to make TMX keycaps. On a side note, does anyone know where I can get a Topre pink blank set that isn't $400?

Are TMX Keycaps even possible?
Title: Re: NOOB Topre Keycap question
Post by: xtrafrood on Fri, 28 October 2016, 16:00:32
I'm interested in the Topre Full sized keyboards like Type Heaven and Realforce

Looking in the Keycap GB section, will the title list if it is for Topre?

I'm assuming that somewhere within a Blue Moon time frame someone does a Topre set?

Are there some keycap sets that will fit Cherry MX and Topre?

For something as simple as keyboards, this is some complicated stuff.

I've been "computing" since '85, can't believe how much cool stuff I have thrown away...   

some within the last year or so   :(


Hmm, I wonder how much a full 104 set in TMX would cost :O

A ****load, until the stems get standardized, then probably $120 a set.


They are only about $25 a set if you get 3 other folks to go in on getting bulk pricing.

Not the sliders, I'm talking about keycaps made by a manufacturer.

Gotcha, yeah High $$$ for sure

I wonder which manufacturer will be the first to make TMX keycaps. On a side note, does anyone know where I can get a Topre pink blank set that isn't $400?

Are TMX Keycaps even possible?

If you build it--people will buy all of it and flip it for profit. I think Nubbinator is working on something that could potentially be pretty awesome
Title: Re: NOOB Topre Keycap question
Post by: gaztec on Fri, 25 November 2016, 15:45:33
A Bit more variety and selection in Topre keycaps would be great.  :thumb:
Title: Re: NOOB Topre Keycap question
Post by: sashi on Mon, 28 November 2016, 16:31:28
Kinda want to get a tad bit off topic.. but are there any keycaps for the FC660c?

Is the only way to get it is from a novatouch conversion? Or would those aliexpress Topre to MX stems work fine?